5 comments about Heaven Without Her: A Desperate Daughter's Search for the Heart of Her Mother's Faith.

1. I came very close to tossing this book away. With so many books coming my way these days, I need to move assess them quickly, determining which are worth a closer look and which are not. I cannot read them all. In this case, I saw the cover, I saw the title, I skimmed the back and thought "not likely." But then I noticed that the author had included a little note inside. There she drew my attention to a couple of the endorsements that she felt would be meaningful to me--namely, Nancy Pearcey and Mark Buchanan, both authors whose works I am fond of. As I looked further I saw that it is also endorsed by Ray Comfort. Based on all of this I decided I would read it. And I'm glad I did.
   
   Heaven Without Her is a memoir. It is the life story of Kitty Foth-Regner, who, until the year 2000, was living exactly the life she wanted for herself as an ardent feminist. She owned her own business, and a rather successful one at that, had a live-in boyfriend whom she loved, and owned a house with a beautiful garden. It was all she had ever wanted. But when she learned that her mother had a terminal illness and as she watched her mother succumb to death, her heart was stirred with questions of eternity. Was there something to her mother's Christian faith, or was that faith really nothing more than wistful delusions?
   
   Kitty set out to determine what was true. Her searching took her through most of the world's major religions (and a few more). She saw quickly how each of them failed to offer good answers and true comfort. All but one, that is. As she explored Christianity through the guidance of sound pastors and theologians, she found a faith that offered answers to the toughest questions. She found a God who loved her as He had loved her mother before.
   
   In this book, Foth-Regner documents hear search. In a fun and narrative style, she describes how the Bible answered all of her questions and how her heart was first convicted, then convinced, and finally renewed. The unthinkable happened--she became a Christian, and this despite so many years of feminism and agnosticism. Her old passions and desires fell away and were replaced with new ones; holy ones.
   
   Heaven Without Her is a valuable read and I think an important one. i consider it an important apologetic work. Sure it presents truths that have been written in other books over and over again, but rarely have they been written in so readable a style. The innovation here is not so much the content as the style and its readily accessible format. This is an ideal book to give to a person who may have questions about the Christian faith. For that person who seems to be seeking or searching, this is a book that can provide answers and can show how God has worked in the life of another of His children. Despite my initial apprehension, having read the book I now highly recommend it.



2. Kitty Foth-Regner has shown the same miracles I know are possible. While she began as a skeptical atheist, as I also once was, she has truly told the story of her being born again. I rejoice in reading of someone else finding their way to God and Jesus. Although I was a believer before opening this book, it has only added to my faith. She did quite a lot of research to back up why the Bible is the word of God. If you need to be pursuaded still, that God is real, the Bible is His Word, and miracles happen, please read it. I can only hope that it gives each reader the "extra" push (if they need it) to become a believer in Christianity.



3. This book would be great for a person who is struggling with growing from the faith of their parents to their own personal faith. I enjoyed it very much and felt I gained perspective and understanding for those who struggle in this way.



4. This book is an excellent tool for witnessing. The author has presented the gospel in its entirety and dashed nearly every misconception of how to get to Heaven. It is easy to read so there may be a good chance that your beloved unbeliever would actually finish it.



5. The author has a gift for getting close to your heart. When I saw Mark Buchanan's review in the front of the book, I knew I wanted to read it. Started it Sat. morning and finished it that day. Could not put the book down. It is a tearjerker, but in a good way. Kitty, thanks for letting us get to know your mom, your dad, you, Dave, and Thumper. This is a touching, warm book and I thank you for writing it and the comfort it gave me. I lost both of my parents in less than 2 years. God bless you much.

5 comments about Sgt. York: His Life, Legend & Legacy : The Remarkable Untold Story of Sergeant Alvin C. York.

1. I'm going to do what the author couldn't seem to do "get to the point" This book was very dry and I hope that Sgt York had a more
   exciting life (other than his war experience) than this book makes it sound. I had a hard time getting through it.



2. After reading his life of Mary Custis Lee, which was quite impressive and turned up many unique insights into a tragically misjudged lady, I sought out other books by Tennessee's own and only John Perry. I found a copy of UNSHAKABLE FAITH, but it had mildewed badly and was nearly unreadable. But faith must have led me to a path of light because on a dark shelf in an East Bay bookstore my hand crept down past a row of Elizabeth Peters books, and landed almost by a miracle on this earlier book by Perry.
   
   I knew very little about Alvin York, except that my grandfather, whose name was Alvin, always blamed the remarkable fame of Sgt York on the popularity of this previous unknown name. He said when he went to school there were thirty-four boys in his graduating class called Alvin. John Perry addresses this amazing renown. His exploits in the Argonne Forest became the stuff of legend, and the Gary Cooper biopic in 1941 muffed the facts a bit to give York more of a country background than actually he had. Many members of his extended family were quite erudite, and my grandfather always used to say that one of York's aunts had written the very first home economics textbook in English, predating Boston's Fannie Farmer by some years.
   
   Perry has a sincere way of writing, and the excitement doesn't let down when York comes back home a hero. You see him doing good works in the name of the Lord and, although many politicians and lawmakers were ever ready and anxious to buy up a piece of his ass, hoping to enlist him into one or another misbegotten crackpot scheme. To his credit York paid them no mind and just continued on his humble way. As with his life of Mary Lee, Perry shows how a good writer concentrates on the facts and lets the legend go its own way, like a small boy cutting the string to a kite and waving it goodbye. The truth is, what becomes a myth is something we have no control over, and Perry acknowledges this with good grace and a wry smile.
   
   Highly recommended not only to Tennesseans and to Christians, but to everyone out there interested in a good life story.



3. The Sgt York Biography by John Perry is an exhaustive effort to give a representation of the Life of Alvin York in the highest degree of accuracy, and tedious attention to detail in painting the most True to Life version that anyone is likely to come across. If one is interested in what made Alvin C. York Tick, then John Perry's account is your book. If only a general understanding is what is sought, then these pages will be far more than what you may have bargained for. But For Fineness of intricacies which permeated Sgt. York's Life, Read John Perry's version.



4. Alvin York spent 19 months of his 76 years in the United States Army during World War I (WWI) and 20 minutes to an hour in the action which made him America's greatest hero of that war. In writing a book about Alvin York, then, the author had to make a decision. Should he write about those 19 months, about that hour, or about the man's entire life? For any other man, the answer would be fairly simple: write about that hour. For Alvin York, however, the answer is quite different, and this author rightly chose to write the complete story of his life both before, during, and after his heroic military service.
   
   When I began reading the book, however, I didn't realize this, and, as a result, I was somewhat disappointed. It seemed to me that all the action, the interesting stuff, was up front and then the book slowly transitioned into the more mundane story of York's later life. But I persisted and gradually came to realize that that was the way York, himself, would have wanted it. After all, as he said many time throughout his life, "Uncle Sam's Army is not for sale."
   
   I must agree with some of the previous critics that this book is almost too detailed, particularly in the middle chapters, as York, with his third grade education, struggles against entrenched politicians to fulfill his dream of building a Christian school in the Tennessee mountains so the backwoods children could have the education he never had. But if you persist, you will likely come to realize, as I did, that his actions after the war and the manner in which he lived his life are much more heroic than anything he or anyone else did in the Great War or in any other war.
   
   The bottom line is this: Alvin York is much more of a hero than I had ever imagined, and, although this book may at times be a difficult read, I highly recommend it. After all, although he never caught a touchdown pass or hit a ninth inning home run, Sergeant York is one hero whose like will never be seen again (guaranteed).



5. If you've seen the 1941 film "Sergeant York" with Gary Cooper, then this book is a must read for you. Perry delves into the man, Alvin York, and tells us the rest of the story. Yes, the defining moment of York's life happened in the Argonne Forest in WW1, but he went on to do more. He battled Lindberg, the IRS and more. This book doesn't paint York as faultless by any stretch, but it also is by no means an exposé. Just a keen insight into the complex life of a simple man.
   If you enjoyed Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit", you will also be moved by this book as well.

1 comments about Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians.

1. This collection is written by Harvard students, professors and grads, and Harvard types can sure write well. I used The Inexplicable Prayers of Ruby Bridges (from this collection) with students in a teacher training class in Albania and it was a great hit.

5 comments about Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage (The Crosswicks Journal, Book 4).

1. (Two Part Invention) I was touched by the way this woman thought as she entered marriage; how she considered the marriage before any other factor in life. As someone born in the last 40 years, I have honestly never heard a woman talk about her marriage in those terms. I was humbled and thought what a shame...we have lost something very special and gentle: honoring marriage. I never did, never knew anyone who did, marriage for myself and those in my circle was more of a nuisance. After two painful divorces I could finally hear Madeline's voice and everything she said made such beautiful and perfect sense. I long for that type of life and marriage and never realized all along it had to come from me. I also cried after putting the book down and a tear often comes when the book comes to mind. I always remember her thought about moving into the city - where she didn't particularly want to live - so that she could be the wife "hosting the slumber party" when they were snowed in, rather than being the wife getting the call when the husband wouldn't be coming home to the suburbs. And how she adjusted her whole sleep schedule to accomodate her husbands' late work nights. Sigh. Thank you Madeline, thank you for a voice that is not often heard.



2. A great read on the complexities of marriage, life and facing death. Two of my favorite quotes of all time are in this book.



3. I have finished Predlude, the first 70 pages. I'm done. This is a step-by-step and quote-by-quote retelling of her love-life, courtship, etc. There are too many great books out there waiting to be read for me to waste my time waiting for this to get better. I don't really care how many times some suitor proposed to her and what her response was, nor how many dog biscuits she ate after taking a bath. The sentences are boring and so is the story. Farandolae are much more interesting.



4. I enjoyed this book - it was an insightful look into L'Engle's life. I never knew that she had been an actress. I especially liked her stories about her theatre life. The fact that she was married to the actor that eventually played "Dr. Tyler" on All My Children was interesting too. She shares her views on things that matter to her, and tries to impart some wisdom upon the reader about living with an actor husband, doing what is best for her family, and ultimately doing what is best for her husband in his time of illness. I would recommend this book for anyone going through a difficult time with a gravely ill spouse, and anyone looking to find out more about L'Engle's life.



5. This is a poignant tale of L'Engle's relationship with her husband. It shows what true, mature love is. If, however, you have read her "A Circle of Quiet" you will find some of the same vignettes here, albeit with a different perspective.

No comments about Florence Nightingale: The Lady of the Lamp (Women of Faith).

5 comments about Luther: Man Between God and the Devil.

1. The New Yorker calls this book a "Remarkable Study"
   
   Okay, so this is the first biography of Luther that I have ever read. My previous knowledge of who was the "great Reformer" is from movies, religious literature quotes, preachers talking about church history and Reformation - a very limited view on the complexity of the Martin Luther's persona. The image on the cover is of Luther as Junker Jörg, Martin's moniker while hiding in the Wartburg castle after the papal excommunication.
   
   For anyone intersted in seriously getting a good-enough grasp of who Martin Luther was and the times the he lived in, look no further. Oberman 's expectation of his work has had its effect on me - I am more interested in reading Martin Luther's original works.
   
   The reason why I selected this to be my first biography on Luther is for a couple of reasons:
   
   1) it is a book used by some Lutheran seminaries,
   2) the author has used original sources and also German scholarly works for his research (his chapter notes alone span 23 pages)
   3)wrote and published the first printing in German, and
   4) the author has been true to his mission stated in the preface to "grasp the main in his totality - with head 'and' heart."
   
   My impression, as I was slowly making my way through the book (underlining and writing notes), is that the author really understands the times in which Luther lived. I really felt that the author took me back to the early 1500's, central medieval Europe (aka Holy Roman Empire). Thus this book is not about exploring the "Catholic" or "Protestant," or even the "modern" Luther (although they are encountered in the book) but understanding Martin Luther as the man between God and the Devil. For Luther the work of the Devil was as real as the work of God; and he thought that the times he lived in were leading to the apocalyptic End Times.
   
   Oberman, does an excellent job at showing the reader how Luther came to "discover the Gospel" again (who knew that the first book Luther taught as a professor of theology were the Psalms?) and understand "the righteousness" of God (not as a legalistic monk anymore but as a free Christian living by grace thru faith in Jesus Christ). The author understands well the climate of the late Medieval times: historical events (and the power struggles that played a role in the birth and the survival of the Reformation), theological disputes (not only between Rome and Luther, but also amongst the various reformers and European scholars), cultural and social barometer (how monks were viewed, what the lives of the peasants was, the medival superstitions that prevailed, etc.), and much, much more.
   
   While the book has a tendency to read like a textbook, the author is not afraid to explore all aspects of the life and character of Luther and follows Luther in three stages:
   1) the national, medieval, and Luther's familial atmosphere of "The Longed-for Reformation" (the word "reformation" at the time was as widely used as the word "democracy" is in our modern western times),
   2) "The Unexpected Reformation" (even the Catholic theologian Hans Kueng admits that this church-dividing effect could have been prevented if the issue of indulgences and the charges against them would have been taken seriously by the pope and his legates), and
   3) "The Reformation in Peril" (the debates amongst reformers about the meaning of Baptism and the Eucharist; Luther vs. Erasmus; Luther's inflamatory writtings against the 3 "enemies" of God: pope, revolting peasant, and Jews; his marriage to a nun being a medieval taboo and Luther's secret advice for bigamy to a prince; and more).
   
   In conclusion, this erudite study will present all aspects of the life, writings, and complex persona of Martin Luther (who interestingly did not see himself as a "reformer" but rather as a preacher, evangelist, and doctor of theology, accordig to Oberman). It is not a work that will exagerate the virtues or biases seen in Martin Luther, but that will challenge the reader to understand the preacher and Wittenberg doctor of theology in the context of his times with the implications that his life and writings have on our modern times.
   
   The brilliant research that Oberman has done brings to light many factoids that were both interesting and surprising to me. I will not spoil the fun and let you find out for yourself what these surprising factoids are. :-)



2. In a concise manner, Heiko Oberman gives an insightful glimpse into the life and influence of Martin Luther that will enhance any readers understanding of the German Reformation.



3. I appreciated the evident scholarship in the book's objective yet sensitive treatment of the man, his life (including his foibles), his pastoral and theological work, and the historical context of the times in which he lived and labored. I especially appreciated the book's being written by a man personally (spiritually) familiar with the historic doctines of grace recovered during the time of the Protestant Reformation. This is no 'liberal,' 'higher-critical' or 'revisionist' diatribe against one of Christianity's greatest saints -- or for that matter against Christianity itself as merely one among many true paths to God in our post-modern world. I would have a hard time envisioning how this book could be improved upon, either in content or expression.



4. This was not what I expected. The author wrote as a historian & theologian, combined. It's a very deep read and will take some time.
   I don't agree with the author on all points and at times felt he was supporting the Roman Catholic Church and/or denouncing Luther. It would have been more interesting if the author would have provided information on exactly how followers of Luther started the Lutheran Church.



5. No man is an Island. Man is effected by the circumstance he is born into. Some men rise above experience and develop themselves better then most. This does not mean that individual is not a man of his times nor effected by the culture the person lives in or the current understanding of truth. Heiko A. Oberman often comments about the times Martin Luther lived in; people in Martin Luther's time believed in an active Satan. I do not know the theological beliefs of the author but he certainly seems to be effected by modern ideas of theology and faith being part of the mental health of the individual then being about God, Sin, and Salvation. This does not blind the author from who Martin Luther is and the purpose of the Reformation. This book describes Martin Luther's upbringing, his education, his study of law, and Luther's dedication of himself to God's Will. Martin Luther's struggle with Satan, his struggle with sin, his struggle with God's judgment, his struggle with Roman Catholic theology, and his discovery with what the Bible really taught. Indulgences, purgatory, and man's ability to merit salvation through the sacrifice of Christ, works of the Saints, penance and indulgence. The 95 thesis began as an attempt to start a discussion about what was going wrong in the church, but reaction and historic events collided with the actions of Martin Luther that caused a revolt in the church. The author details how the propose Turkish crusade, indulgences, and the political structure in Germany help bring the Reformation. Martin Luther fought for what he came to believe what the Bible taught; he convinced other she was correct, while others followed out of their own convenience.
   
   
   The author details why it was important to both protestants and The Roman Catholic whether Luther died peacefully. That Luther thought it a greater honor to be a martyr then one to bring about a reformed institution ready to serve as the bride of Christ.This book tries to present a clear picture who Luther was a human being not just a religious movement.
   
   This is not an uncritical look at Luther. The author describes Luther's thoughts on theology and is critical Luther's view of predestination. Heiko A. Oberman describes Luther's view of the Lord's Table and his unwillingness to compromise. The controversy over monks marrying when they changed over Luther's side were discuss; the breaking of the oaths, Nuns marrying, and monks. The controversy over the peasants revolt and the reformation not being a social economic revolt.
   
   This is book biography. I should read a more fundamentalist biography also.

5 comments about Something Beautiful for God.

1. Late in his adult life the renowned agnostic Malcolm Muggeridge converted to Christianity through the influence of Mother Teresa (1910-1997). In 1959 he interviewed Mother Teresa, and then ten years later made a television documentary of her life for the BBC. To honor her beatification in October 2003, Harper reissued the book version of these two efforts as a short, popular biography. Muggeridge reviews how Mother Teresa left her very satisfying call as a high school teacher and followed her "call within a call" to love the poorest of the poor in Calcutta. Under her direction, and convinced that every person should be able to die within sight of a loving face, no person was ever refused. Today, the Missionaries of Charity which she founded have houses in almost every country of the world. Evocative black and white photos accompany Muggeridge's powerful story-telling.



2. This book was recommended by Father Illo from St. Josephs in Modesto. Very moving and inspirational book. I highly recommend!



3. Have you ever been halfway through a book and all of a sudden had an urge to throw it down and run do what the author was suggesting? If not, order this book and you will.
   
   Muggeridge's account of Mother Teresa is classic for a good reason. Rarely does one find Christianity actually personified outside the person of Christ himself, but Muggeridge has painted a beautiful picture indeed of one such individual.



4. Having grown up in the UK, I knew of Malcom Muggeridge. He was a brilliant scholar and was on many programs on the BBC, including the "Brain's Trust" which had people like Aldous Huxley and others- trully eminent scholars all of them. Muggeridge came across as a pompous, erudite, snob of the highest order and as time went on, he showed one and all that he was an agnostic, who didn't need religion and Christ in his life.
   Our wee Mother Theresa changed all that and this little book, shows how powerful God can be, working through little Saints, like Mother Theresa.
   Malcom became Mother Theresa's biggest fan and converted to Catholicism later on-a trully inspiring book.



5. In this book it describes how Mother Teresa established her Missionaries of Charity and how they served the sick, suffering and dying in Calcutta. She gave everything she had and her life was totally dedicated to her mission, her calling and those who were hungry, homeless, and very sick. This book makes me realize that everything that I have today is a gift from God! Great book.

5 comments about Saints: A Year in Faith and Art.

1. As a Catholic priest for over 30 years, I am a lover of spiritual books and stories of role models of the faith. SAINTS: A YEAR in FAITH and ART is just such a book! In addition to the brief paragraphs about each saint, the art work presented relating to the saint is itself worth moments of reflection. If you want more knowledge of a saint, I suggest ALL SAINTS by Robert Ellsberg. If you want a succint understanding of a saint, this is your book! The cover, the daily portrayals and the art work all are worth this price!
   PS: I bought several copies and gave them to my Staff for Christmas gifts. They loved it!



2. The book offers a daily review of a saint or blessed within the Catholic faith. An overview of their life and who they are patron saints of is included. What I enjoyed most was learning the Saints name origin and what it means. Each review is only 1 large paragraph and a picture is included. What a wonderful way to start or end your daily prayers!



3. This is an amazing little book of saints. Designed for a "saint a day", it sometimes has two saints per day, but what really stands out is the absolutely beautiful artwork from medieval to modern times. Although the book is small, and hence the pictures also small, they are so sharp and beautiful that their size won't matter. The lives of each saint, being limited to a page or a page and a half, are only overviews, but good for a brief reading on a daily basis. No large time commitment here.



4. I bought this book for my son as he received First Communion. He has consulted it almost every day since, reporting to the rest of the family on the saint featured. Every page turn has a brief story of the saint of the day on one side and a stunning artwork depicting a scene from the saint's life on the other.
   
   One word of caution: martyrdom is not for the faint of heart. Some of the artistic renditions are quite graphic, even explicit, as in the case of Saint Agatha, who apparently had her breasts ripped out with pincers.



5. As a Catholic School librarian, I highly recommend this
   book. One of the very delightful aspects of this book is
   it's beautiful physical appearance. It is small in size,
   remanisant of medieval hand printed books. The smooth
   paper and gilt cover add to it's appeal. There is a brief
   description of each saint with an accompanying picture
   on the opposite page. The old masters art work is
   lovely. However, some of the pictures are graphic and
   may not be for very young children.

5 comments about The Life And Diary of David Brainerd.

1. David Brainerd was an incrediable man of God. The son-in-law of the great theologian Jonathan Edwards, Brainerd combined sound theology with a deep passion for Jesus. His story is one that should be told to our children's children.
   
   Brainerd's diary is a wealth of the spiritual passion of a man who longed to see American Indians won to Christ. His hatred for his own sinfulness is found throughout the book. Some days Brainerd is on the mountain of God and the next he is in the valley of despair. With the exception of the dairies of the late Keith Green, have I seen a man who truly wrestled with his own flesh by the power of the Spirit.
   
   For those longing to be all that God wants them to be (Philippians 3:7-12), I would urge you to purchase this book. You will be blessed and challenged.



2. This book is not for the faint of heart, or those not willing to put in the time to read and think.
   
   While this edited for length, the writing style is still that of 18th century English, and it can be a little difficult to parse at times. However, once you get use to that, this biography is chock-full of challenging questions about the nature of sin, salvation, and God's plan for our life's work.
   
   At times, Brainerd seems particularly pessimistic, even to the point of being clinically depressed, while at other times, he seems to be floating on cloud nine (although much more of the former than the latter).
   
   I read this as a part of a small discussion group, and that helped in the understanding of various passages.



3. David Brainerd's recorded life speaks my heart and breath--my longings for my heavenly home. This is a must read for all as it washes away the deceiving beguilement of trendy Christianity.
   
   Traveling through his pages of life, you witness his true mission that of only knowing Christ and Him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2. He was one of few who despised this vile world with its entertaining ways.
   
   His soul displayed was that of a faithful, humble, loyal pastor who ministered to the natives in isolated areas of New England. He never set himself above these socially rejected ones who he found to be quite refreshing in contrast to snobbish white folk. He became known among fur trappers as "the man who trapped Indians with love."
   
   Below are experts from David Brainerd's diary. The initial are the quotes of "His Heart." The following are observances of "His Natives."
   
   His Heart:
   
   "I know I long for God and conformity to His will, in inward purity and holiness, ten thousand times more than for anything here below."
   
   "God was so precious to my soul, that the world, with all its enjoyments, was infinitely vile. I had no more value for the favor of men, than for pebbles."
   
   "Spent the day mainly in conversing with friends; yet enjoyed little satisfaction, because I could not find but few disposed to converse on divine and heavenly things. Alas, what are the things of this world, to afford satisfaction to the soul! In secret, I blessed the God for retirement, and that I am not always exposed to the company and conversation of the world. Oh, that I could live in the secret of God's presence!"
   
   His Natives:
   
   "Discoursed from John 4:13, 14. There was a great attention, a desirable affection, and an unaffected melting in the assembly. It is surprising to see how eager they are to hear the Word of God. I have oftentimes thought that they would cheerfully and diligently attend divine worship twenty-four hours together if they had an opportunity so to do."
   
   "I never saw any appearance of bitterness or censoriousness (being critical) in these, nor any disposition to `esteem themselves better than others.'"



4. David Brainerd's recorded life speaks my heart and breath--my longings for my heavenly home. This is a must read for all as it washes away the deceiving beguilement of trendy Christianity.
   
   Traveling through his pages of life, you witness his true mission that of only knowing Christ and Him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2. He was one of few who despised this vile world with its entertaining ways.
   
   His soul displayed was that of a faithful, humble, loyal pastor who ministered to the natives in isolated areas of New England. He never set himself above these socially rejected ones who he found to be quite refreshing in contrast to snobbish white folk. He became known among fur trappers as "The man who trapped Indians with love."
   
   Below are experts from David Brainerd's diary. The initial are the quotes of "His Heart." The following are observances of "His Natives."
   
   His Heart:
   
   "I know I long for God and conformity to His will, in inward purity and holiness, ten thousand times more than for anything here below."
   
   "God was so precious to my soul, that the world, with all its enjoyments, was infinitely vile. I had no more value for the favor of men, than for pebbles."
   
   "Spent the day mainly in conversing with friends; yet enjoyed little satisfaction, because I could not find but few disposed to converse on divine and heavenly things. Alas, what are the things of this world, to afford satisfaction to the soul! In secret, I blessed the God for retirement, and that I am not always exposed to the company and conversation of the world. Oh, that I could live in the secret of God's presence!"
   
   His Natives:
   
   "Discoursed from John 4:13, 14. There was a great attention, a desirable affection, and an unaffected melting in the assembly. It is surprising to see how eager they are to hear the Word of God. I have oftentimes thought that they would cheerfully and diligently attend divine worship twenty-four hours together if they had an opportunity so to do."
   
   "I never saw any appearance of bitterness or censoriousness (being critical) in these, nor any disposition to `esteem themselves better than others.'"



5. This book reminds us of what it means to be one who is truly seeking after God. This is a must read for anyone who wants to experience a truly dynamic relationship with God.

5 comments about Voices of the Faithful: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World.

1. This is a collection of short essays written by western Christian missionaries who are located throughout the world.
   
   Beth Moore compiles this set of short inspirational readings (one for every day). Each reading is one page. The objective is that you read the short essay, all of which are based on Bible verses, and contemplate the teaching throughout the day.
   
   The essays are arranged by subject. Each month has a different theme. February - the word of God. March - prayer. Etc. Each month's essays are preceded by comments by Beth Moore.
   
   Some of the essays are very inspiring. It takes a couple of minutes to do the daily reading, but one can contemplate it during your daily commute or throughout the entire day. Some of these messages are that good.
   
   However, Beth Moore's comments are my favorite part. She uses charm, wit and wisdom to arrive at a very entertaining writing style, and at the same time she is very effective at getting her point across, and her monthly introductions are perfect for setting up the theme for the coming month. But her short introductions are only to set the stage for the real stars of the book, the missionaries.



2. If you are looking for a devotional book that will broaden your prospective about missionairies; this is the book. Beth Moore has an introduction at the beginning of each month. The daily devotionals are grouped together into topics that change each month.
   
   I started reading the devotions in September. October was on spiritual warfare. I was amazed at the depth of the content. You will be suprised that some of these beliefs still exist. We are so caught up in our own little worlds that we do not have a clue about the world around us. Each day has a scripture to read, a story, and a prayer to use.
   
   The missionaries are identified mostly by initials but you are given the region that the missionary lives in. My Sunday School class is using the devotionals before our lesson on Sundays. We take turns presenting the text that usually works right along with our lesson on that particular Sunday. I have ordered the book for some of my friends and they love it also.



3. If you are mission minded or want to be then this book is for you. The introduction is written by Beth Myers but the individual daily devotions are written by missionaries from all over the globe. I purchased four of these books and gave them as Christmas presents. When I find a good book, I always want to share it with someone. I asked for a copy for myself as a Christmas gift from my son. It has been a very heart warming book and makes the missionaries seem more like real people doing a real job. As I read these devotions and pray for them, I feel like I am having a part in their work. The four friends I gave this book have told me that it has truly blessed their hearts and they look forward to reading it every day in this New Year.



4. OUR HOLY FATHER USED THIS BOOK TO BRING THE WOMEN OF OUR CHURCH TOGETHER NOT ONLY IN PRAYER BUT IN MISSIONS. IT WAS A REASON TO GET TOGETHER ONCE A MONTH AND SHARE STORIES. WE ORDERED 25 BOOKS AND THEN ORDERED 10 MORE. WE NOW HAVE 35 WOMEN OF THE CHURCH WORKING TOGETHER, PRAYING TOGETHER AND REACHING OUT WHICH IS SOMETHING OUR CHURCH WAS STUGGLING WITH. THANK YOU AND WHAT A WONDERFUL BOOK, MOST OF THE WOMEN COULDN'T STOP AND READ ON AND ON NOT WANTING TO STOP. THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR DIRECTION AND THANK YOU BETH MOORE AND MISSIONARIES FOR MAKING THIS BOOK. IT NOT ONLY CHANGED OUR CHURCH BUT OUR LIVES. (WE WERE NEVER MUCH ON MISSIONS BUT WE SURE ARE NOW!) GOD'S BLESSING ON ALL OF YOU. A SISTER IN CHRIST.... MARILYN



5. I received this as a gift for Christmas and have now purchased at least 3 others for gifts. The 1 page, short, daily devotionals are true, uplifting, and have given me a great view into God's practical power and grace for each day. A true blessing!